Q. Why are the roadways closed for so long after a major accident? -Brian

A. When officers are at an accident involving fatal or critical injuries, they're there to render aid, preserve the area of the accident, and use forensic mapping, which records and analyzes the scene for the investigation. The officers also have to direct traffic, if they've closed a major roadway for the investigation. The time spent on this process will depend how large the scene is, for example how many vehicles are involved, the number of victims, and debris.

We realize that the roadway closures may inconvenience drivers and we are continually reviewing our practices to find better ways of handling these types of situations. However, when a life is lost or there are serious injuries in a traffic accident, the officers have an obligation to conduct a proper investigation and resources are directed toward that effort.